Positive result will help league aim

Nigel Clough says the priority is League One survival but insists progressing in the FA Cup is his immediate focus.

The Blades head to Craven Cottage to tackle Rene Meulensteen's Fulham and Clough is hopeful a positive result in the capital will help turnaround United's league fortunes.

Looking ahead to Tuesday evening's televised fourth round replay, the Gaffer said: "Fulham are favourites and rightly so, they don't play until Sunday and both teams lost 3-0 at the weekend.

"The game isn't a priority for either side, but on the night I am sure, like us, Fulham will be keen to progress. Obviously we are focused on League One survival and Rene Meulensteen will know the importance of Fulham staying up.

"The cup is important but not as important as winning matches consistently in the league, I don't want to win the FA Cup and the price being relegation."

Clough is optimistic that a positive performance could give United some momentum to build on when Shrewsbury Town provide the opposition at Bramall Lane at the weekend.

The Gaffer concluded: "Fulham changed a lot of things on deadline day, they lost three or four players who featured in the first tie and thankfully their new signings can't feature, but they will still be able to field a team that should be more than capable of winning the game if they perform.

"I just want to see our lads go out there, believe and give it their all, that is all the supporters will demand from them.

"Tuesday's performance, whatever the result, has to give us something to work with ahead of the Shrewsbury game, which has extra significance after recent defeats at Notts County and Crewe."